Xiao Man hadn't reacted for a moment to who Cen Yu was referring to. It was only after a while that she finally remembered: Du Yu Lan, Nangong Yi's former princess consort. If Du Yu Lan hadn't been involved in her father's murder, she might not have even remembered such a person. But why was Du Yu Lan following Lan Bing?
"She came here, what does that have to do with me?"
"It seems you're not fully aware of what happened in Yusheng," Cen Yu chuckled. "Indeed, Mo Ran wouldn't tell you these sordid matters. He only shows you his good side, never his unsightly one."
Xiao Man was somewhat displeased. She disliked Cen Yu mentioning Wen Mohan, especially with disparaging remarks.
"You still remember Du Yu Lan being sent to Baiyun Nunnery by the Du family, right?"
Xiao Man slowly nodded. At the time, she was too busy breaking ties with Nangong Yu to pay attention to Du Yu Lan's affairs.
"Baiyun Nunnery appears to be a nunnery on the surface, but it's actually a brothel, specifically catering to officials and nobles with peculiar tastes." Cen Yu pushed the Jade White Jade Cake in front of her towards Xiao Man. "The Jade White Jade Cake you like, I scoured Bianjing city to find one with the most similar taste. Won't you try some?"
"Speak your mind."
"Mo Han used some means to make Du Yu Lan a prostitute, treated as a cash cow by the abbess of Baiyun Nunnery, serving the officials and nobles who went there for pleasure. When you rebelled against Yusheng, Baiyun Nunnery caught fire, and no one survived."
Xiao Man suddenly understood. The fire was likely set by Du Yu Lan, and everyone inside must have perished.
"What does that have to do with me?"
Cen Yu looked at Xiao Man with amusement. "Don't you know how much Du Yu Lan hates you?"
"I know exactly how much you hate me."
Cen Yu's expression changed. He awkwardly poured himself wine, spilling it on the table, then grabbed the pot and drank directly from it. The wine trickled down his neck, soaking his collar, yet it made his face appear even more alluring.
Xiao Man couldn't help but sigh. A beauty was indeed a beauty. Even drunk, she possessed an irresistible charm. Lan Xiao Pavilion's top performer was no match for Cen Yu.
"Xiao Man, do you hate me?" Cen Yu asked abruptly.
"You think too highly of yourself," Xiao Man stood up. "I wouldn't waste an emotion like hatred on you."
Seeing Xiao Man about to leave, Cen Yu didn't stop her but cautioned, "Be careful of Nangong Yu. Never let him know you have any connection to the former Qin."
The nights in the capital were always livelier than elsewhere.
At this hour, other cities had already fallen into slumber, but Bianjing's nights seemed tireless, with constant traffic and dazzling lights, as if day and night were indistinguishable.
Xiao Man walked through the crowds, Ying Xue following closely behind, fearing assassins might suddenly emerge. Her hand remained on her sword hilt, never letting go.
Suddenly, a woman appeared in the crowd, holding a red oil-paper umbrella adorned with tassels, dressed in a bright red double-breasted ruqun. A red veil covered her face, her eyes full of allure, and she walked with a graceful gait.
The people on the street stopped to watch. The normally dignified bright red was rendered alluring by the woman, a charm tinged with danger, making people hesitant to approach.
Xiao Man's footsteps didn't falter as she headed towards the Princess's Manor. She met the red-clad woman head-on and sidestepped, not giving her a second glance.
The woman also didn't pause. They passed each other, one heading east, the other west. When she reached the end of the street, the red-clad woman turned back to look in the direction Xiao Man had gone. A hint of hatred flashed in her eyes, quickly concealed, before she departed at an unhurried pace.
"Late at night, and it's not even raining, yet she's carrying a red umbrella. It looks rather creepy," Ying Xue said, having left the crowds but feeling no relief. She tightened her grip on her sword. With the lady's enemies all in Bianjing, she couldn't afford to be careless. Suzan Novel Network.
Xiao Man smiled. "Perhaps it's her preference. Besides, who says one can't use an umbrella when it's not raining?"
"Lady, don't you find that red-clad woman a bit strange?" Ying Xue asked, puzzled. For some reason, she found the woman very peculiar and unsettling.
"I don't find her strange, but when we passed each other, I sensed a faint killing intent from her."
Ying Xue, already tense, gripped her sword tighter. "Could she be an assassin?"
Xiao Man glanced at Ying Xue. "If she were an assassin, she would have acted by now. However, she's definitely not here with good intentions."
Ying Xue looked around. "Lady, we should return to the manor soon. Bianjing has been too restless lately."
Xiao Man looked up ahead, her steps faltering slightly. A smile gradually spread across her face. "Why are you here?"
"It's dinnertime, and you hadn't returned, so I came out to find you," Wen Mohan walked up to Xiao Man. "Have you eaten dinner?"
Xiao Man shook her head. "Not yet. You?"
"I was waiting for you to come home so we could eat together."
"Home..." Xiao Man mulled over the word. Was this her home?
Wen Mohan took Xiao Man's hand, and they walked through the street like newlyweds. "Yes, home. For me, wherever you are is home."
Xiao Man nodded thoughtfully. "Okay, home."
From the shadows, a gaze fixed intently on the pair. Xiao Man lagged slightly behind Wen Mohan, her eyes sweeping in a certain direction before retracting. She then continued towards the Princess's Manor, chatting and laughing with Wen Mohan.
Wei Wuji looked at Murong Sheng Rui, whose face was dark and gloomy. When Xiao Man was merely the eldest daughter of the Yusheng General's Manor, they could do nothing to her. Now that she was the Princess of Lanyue, her status was even more precious. She was the sole descendant of Lanyue's royal family, and a direct blood relative. Neither the Empress of Lanyue nor the ministers of Lanyue would allow Xiao Man to be married off.
"Your Majesty, it's late. We should return."
Murong Sheng Rui remained silent for a moment before following. All these were privileges he should have enjoyed, yet now he was an outsider, forced to watch her in the company of another man.
Jealousy was like a poison fire, scorching his insides. His blood roared, urging him to snatch her back at any cost. Yet, reason told him not to anger her further, or he would lose her completely.
Murong Sheng Rui didn't know what possessed him as he followed behind them, watching them gaze lovingly at each other, their faces full of smiles. He felt pain, yet he couldn't turn away.
He hid in the shadows, like a voyeur, meticulously observing their interactions. From them walking hand-in-hand back to the manor, to sharing dinner, and then retiring for the night together, he found no flaws. It was as if these two truly had a deep affection for each other.